The African Poetry Book Fund has opened its annual submissions window for the Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry, offering emerging African poets the opportunity to win USD $1,000 and book publication through the University of Nebraska Press as part of the African Poetry Book Series.

The prestigious prize is awarded annually to an African poet who has not yet published a collection of poetry. Submissions are now being accepted through December 1st, 2025. A winner will be announced in June.

Eligibility Requirements

The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets will only accept “first book” submissions from African writers who have not published a book-length poetry collection. This includes self-published books if they were sold online, in stores, or at readings. Writers who have edited and published an anthology or a similar collection of other writers’ work remain eligible.

An “African writer” is taken to mean someone who was born in Africa, who is a national or resident of an African country, or whose parents are African.

Only poetry submissions in English can be considered. Work translated from another language to English is accepted, but a percentage of the prize will be awarded to the translator.

No past or present paid employees of the University of Nebraska Press, Akashic Books, or Amalion Press, or current faculty, students, or employees at Brown University, are eligible for the prizes.

Submission Guidelines

Submission Period: Manuscripts are accepted annually between September 15th and December 1st.

Entry Fee: No entry fee is required to submit to the contest.

Manuscript Requirements:

  • Poetry manuscripts should be at least 50 pages long
  • The author’s name should not appear on the manuscript – all entries will be read anonymously
  • Please include a cover page listing only the title of the manuscript (not the author’s name, address, telephone number, or email address)
  • An acknowledgements page listing the publication history of individual poems may be included, if desired
  • No application forms are necessary
  • Eligible writers may submit more than one manuscript

Formatting Guidelines: While there are no specific formatting rules, manuscripts should preferably be submitted in Times New Roman or Arial, 12 point font, single-spaced. The organizers prefer one poem per page, meaning a new poem does not begin on the same page on which another ends.

How to Submit

The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets accepts electronic submissions ONLY. Submit your manuscript via Submittable at: https://africanpoetrybookfund.submittable.com/submit